On Saturday, April 26th, EverThrive Illinois hosted our Annual Community Baby Shower at the Lawndale Christian Fitness Center in the North Lawndale neighborhood. This event is held to celebrate new and expecting parents in the community, and to provide them with the necessary resources to help them and their families.
Before the baby shower started, EverThrive Illinois staff helped set up the event space and add in baby animal-themed decorations. Our Community Engagement Manager, Talibah Johnson, has put together the Community Baby Shower every year, and always reiterates that she wants guests to feel like they are at an actual baby shower and not just at an event receiving information.
There were also vendors, which allowed for new and expecting parents to not only receive new information and resources but also become aware of organizations that are in the city and state that they could access for help. The vendors that were there were Catholic Charities, Illinois Action for Children, Family Focus, Mommy’s Gift to Me, PlaySmart Literacy, and SIDS of IL.
The baby shower started with some opening remarks, followed by a presentation on crib safety by Kimberly Rowe from SIDS of IL. Kimberly gave a demonstration on what should and shouldn’t be in a crib or bassinette while an infant is sleeping, and even included an interactive portion where participants removed items from a bed and a baby doll that are unsafe during sleep. Following this presentation was information on immunizations, presented by Talibah. The reason why the baby shower is held during the last week of April is to align with National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW), which highlights the importance of protecting toddlers and babies from diseases. EverThrive Illinois does a virtual campaign every year during NIIW, but the baby shower is an opportunity to directly inform parents on preventative care for their children.
In the last portion of the baby shower, guests were able to participate in a BINGO game, talk to the vendors, eat brunch and cake, and receive the gifts that were donated to the organization. These gifts were diaper bags full of things for the birthing person and their baby, including baby clothes, a grooming kit, breastmilk bags, a peri bottle, and other items. We thank everyone who made a donation to make sure pregnant individuals got the items they need for their infants. This is the 3rd baby shower we’ve hosted, and every year it emphasizes the importance of engaging with the community overall making people feel supported. When experiencing a new transition like parenthood or when times get difficult, people need to know that they can have others to rely on.